Owners of the HSPA+ Sony Xperia Ion began receiving a highly-anticipated Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update late last month, and while Xperia Ion LTE owners seemed to be left out for a while, that looks like it will all change.
Sony-centered website Xperia Blog spotted Xperia Ion Android Jelly Bean firmware 6.2.B.0.211 in the PTCRB website, meaning that its rollout should soon be imminent. Typically, when something smartphone-related lands on PTCRB, it's basically finished, and will be hitting the public soon. When it does roll out, as with all over-the-air updates, it will be pushed out in batches, meaning not everybody will receive it at the same time.
Those who have an LTE Xperia Ion on AT&T's network might be in for some disappointment, as carrier-tied devices generally receive Android upgrades later than the rest. The reason for this is because even though Sony might have developed a firmware that will run on unlocked Xperia Ions, carriers like AT&T will test, tweak, and certify the version independently. This process usually adds weeks, and sometimes even months, to the entire ordeal - in other words, don't hold your breath AT&T Xperia Ion owners.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean will greatly boost the Xperia Ion experience with a number of new features. Android customization all around has been improved and system performance will increase thanks to Project Butter, which ups the frame rate and optimizes processes for a more fluid interface. Google Now will also make its debut with Android Jelly Bean, attempting to deliver information to the user before it is even asked.
The update should start rolling out soon, so let us know if it lands on your LTE Xperia Ion and where you're located in the comments section below.